Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt extending about 32 kilometers along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country. It is regarded as the Pearl of the Mediterranean. It has a rich history and became an important center of the Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Hellenistic and Roman Egypt for almost one thousand years. Few cities of the world have a history as rich as that of Alexandria and few cities have witnessed so many historic events and legends.
Alexandria's status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Library of Alexandria was the largest library of the ancient world and the place where great philosophers and scientists of that age came to seek knowledge. Today, it's a faded shade of its former glorious cosmopolitan self, but still worth a visit for its many cultural attractions and still-palpable glimpses of its past.
The city today has a vast array of different archaeological sites that can be admired, such as Pompey’s Pillar. In addition to the archaeological aspects, Alexandria boasts a plentiful amount of buildings and various stunning monuments. Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is only 225 km. from Cairo. Alexandria is also an important tourist resort.
Alexandria's status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Library of Alexandria was the largest library of the ancient world and the place where great philosophers and scientists of that age came to seek knowledge. Today, it's a faded shade of its former glorious cosmopolitan self, but still worth a visit for its many cultural attractions and still-palpable glimpses of its past.
The city today has a vast array of different archaeological sites that can be admired, such as Pompey’s Pillar. In addition to the archaeological aspects, Alexandria boasts a plentiful amount of buildings and various stunning monuments. Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is only 225 km. from Cairo. Alexandria is also an important tourist resort.
The Nile is a major river in northeastern Africa and is the father of African rivers. Stretching for 6,650 kilometers from East Africa to the Mediterranean, it rises south of the Equator and flows northward through northeastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile River is believed to be the longest river in the world.
The Nile drains an area estimated at 3,349,000 square kilometers. It lies in the following countries: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt. In particular, the Nile River provides the primary water resource and so it is the life artery for its downstream countries such as Egypt and Sudan. The Nile is formed by three principal streams: the Blue Nile, the White Nile and the Arbara. Its most distant source is the Kagera River in Burundi.
The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt, a country whose civilization has depended on the river since ancient times. The Nile River basin, which covers about one-tenth of the area of the continent, served as the stage for the evolution and decay of advanced civilizations in the ancient world. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile valley north of Aswan. Most of Ancient Egypt’s historical sites are located along the banks of the Nile River including cities such as Luxor and Cairo.
The Nile ends in a large delta named the Nile Delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile Delta in Northern Egypt is around 160 kilometers in length and spreads out over 240 kilometers of coastline. It is rich in agriculture and has been farmed for thousands of years. Around 40 million people (half of Egypt’s population) live in the Nile Delta region.
Nile River and Delta from Orbit
The Nile drains an area estimated at 3,349,000 square kilometers. It lies in the following countries: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt. In particular, the Nile River provides the primary water resource and so it is the life artery for its downstream countries such as Egypt and Sudan. The Nile is formed by three principal streams: the Blue Nile, the White Nile and the Arbara. Its most distant source is the Kagera River in Burundi.
The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt, a country whose civilization has depended on the river since ancient times. The Nile River basin, which covers about one-tenth of the area of the continent, served as the stage for the evolution and decay of advanced civilizations in the ancient world. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile valley north of Aswan. Most of Ancient Egypt’s historical sites are located along the banks of the Nile River including cities such as Luxor and Cairo.
The Nile ends in a large delta named the Nile Delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile Delta in Northern Egypt is around 160 kilometers in length and spreads out over 240 kilometers of coastline. It is rich in agriculture and has been farmed for thousands of years. Around 40 million people (half of Egypt’s population) live in the Nile Delta region.
The Temples of Abu Simbel are two massive rock temples in Abu Simbel in souther Egypt. These massive temples are regarded amongst the most interesting temples of the Pharaohs. Located close to the southern border, on the western bank of Lake Nasser, the Temples of Abu Simbel date back to the reign of King Ramses II.
The Temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of King Ramses II. The twin rock temples were erected as a lasting monument to the king himself and his queen Nefertari. The temples were also intended to commemorate the king's victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.
However, the entire temple complex was relocated on a higher location in 1968. The relocation was done to save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile during the creation of Lake Nasser. It was necessary to avoid the temples being submerged. The relocation of the Temples of Abu Simbel was done thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO.
The two temples were cut into many pieces during the relocation. Then the pieces were reconstructed again on a site 65 meter higher than the original location. The huge relocation work was done between 1964 and 1968 by a multinational team of archeologists, engineers and skilled heavy equipment operators working together under the UNESCO banner.
Abu Simbel is an outstanding archeological site in Egypt. The Temples of Abu Simbel rank high in terms of sheer beauty though they may not be as well known as the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Sphinx. The two temples feature some staggering feats of construction. The temples of Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions today.
The Temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of King Ramses II. The twin rock temples were erected as a lasting monument to the king himself and his queen Nefertari. The temples were also intended to commemorate the king's victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.
However, the entire temple complex was relocated on a higher location in 1968. The relocation was done to save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile during the creation of Lake Nasser. It was necessary to avoid the temples being submerged. The relocation of the Temples of Abu Simbel was done thanks to the International Campaign launched by UNESCO.
The two temples were cut into many pieces during the relocation. Then the pieces were reconstructed again on a site 65 meter higher than the original location. The huge relocation work was done between 1964 and 1968 by a multinational team of archeologists, engineers and skilled heavy equipment operators working together under the UNESCO banner.
Abu Simbel is an outstanding archeological site in Egypt. The Temples of Abu Simbel rank high in terms of sheer beauty though they may not be as well known as the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Sphinx. The two temples feature some staggering feats of construction. The temples of Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions today.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis in Egypt. It is one of the most famous structures on the list of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid of Giza is reputed to have been built approximately 2,500 B.C. The pyramids are a symbol of Egypt and its rich history and culture.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most memorable and prominent seven wonders of the ancient world. What makes this structure the most recognizable is the fact that it is not only the oldest structure on the list but also the only structure that still remains largely intact.
The Great Pyramid is estimated to stand at 481 feet tall. With such a height, it was the tallest man made structure in the world for around 3800 years. This fact is not only a testament to the pyramid's durability but but to its mark as one of the most remarkable structures ever built. However, currently the structure stands at 455.22 feet tall.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built as a symbol of Egypt’s wealth and power. It took just under 30 years to build according to the Egyptologists. The pyramid consists of 2 million limestone blocks each weighing from 2.5 to 15 tons. The corners of the base of the pyramid coincide almost exactly with the four cardinal points, and the base is level to within in an inch. Over 100,000 laborers worked on the project.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most memorable and prominent seven wonders of the ancient world. What makes this structure the most recognizable is the fact that it is not only the oldest structure on the list but also the only structure that still remains largely intact.
The Great Pyramid is estimated to stand at 481 feet tall. With such a height, it was the tallest man made structure in the world for around 3800 years. This fact is not only a testament to the pyramid's durability but but to its mark as one of the most remarkable structures ever built. However, currently the structure stands at 455.22 feet tall.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built as a symbol of Egypt’s wealth and power. It took just under 30 years to build according to the Egyptologists. The pyramid consists of 2 million limestone blocks each weighing from 2.5 to 15 tons. The corners of the base of the pyramid coincide almost exactly with the four cardinal points, and the base is level to within in an inch. Over 100,000 laborers worked on the project.
The Sahara is the hottest desert in the world. It is one of the world's largest deserts. Actually, the Sahara is the third largest desert after
Antarctica and the Arctic. The Sahara Desert is located in the northern part of Africa. It is bounded in the east by the Red Sea, in the west by the
Atlantic Ocean, in the north by
the Mediterranean Sea, and in the south it ends at the Sahel, a band of semiarid savanna.
The Sahara covers an area of over 9,000,000 square kilometers. It covers most of North Africa, making it the largest desert on the African continent. The Sahara Desert makes up almost 10% of the African continent covering parts of several African countries like Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.
Most of its landscape includes sand dunes, sand seas called ergs, barren stone plateaus, gravel plains, dry valleys and salt flats. Considering the Sahara has a reputation of being one of the driest and most arid destinations on earth, it is surprising for most to hear that a snowfall was actually recorded in 1979.
The Sahara covers an area of over 9,000,000 square kilometers. It covers most of North Africa, making it the largest desert on the African continent. The Sahara Desert makes up almost 10% of the African continent covering parts of several African countries like Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.
Most of its landscape includes sand dunes, sand seas called ergs, barren stone plateaus, gravel plains, dry valleys and salt flats. Considering the Sahara has a reputation of being one of the driest and most arid destinations on earth, it is surprising for most to hear that a snowfall was actually recorded in 1979.
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